Goa customs to visit Karnataka for gold smuggling probe

Panaji, June 18 (IANS) Goa customs sleuths are likely to visit Bhatkal town in Karnataka after two people from the area were arrested here within the span of a week for smuggling gold from Dubai, an official here said on Thursday.

Those arrested for smuggling were carrying nearly Rs.5 crore worth of gold from Dubai, through the Dabolim international airport here.

Speaking to reporters at the customs headquarters here, Commissioner K Anpazhakan said those arrested were mere carriers and the mastermind of the racket was still free.

“We have to see why two people, both from Bhatkal, were smuggling gold from Dubai to Goa in one week,” Anpazhakan said.

“In both cases, the arrested people were carriers. We have to go after the mastermind,” Anpazhakan said, adding that in both instances, the gold was handed over to the accused by unidentified people in Dubai.

On Wednesday, a woman from Bhatkal, Shahin Hussain, was arrested by the customs’ Air Intelligence Unit while smuggling in 9.4 kg of gold worth Rs.2.65 crore.

“The gold was found during a body search,” Anpazhakan said.

On June 11, another resident of Bhatkal was arrested while smuggling in gold worth Rs.2.15 crore via Dabolim international airport.

The port town of Bhatkal in north Karnataka was until recently known as a haven for smuggled goods, especially electronic items.